Looking for the perfect tour to embark on during your next Icelandair stopover? The Blue Diamond tourist route starts just outside of Reykjavik’s Keflavík International Airport and loops all throughout the Reykjanes Peninsula, making stops at top Icelandic attractions such as Blue Lagoon, Karlinn and more! With Icelandair’s guide to the route, visitors can hit all the major landmarks – and it begins the moment visitors touch down at the airport!
The Blue Diamond route is perfect for any kind of visitor, and all of the attractions can be seen in roughly an hour! For those who have more time, there is plenty of exploring to keep you busy, including beautiful hikes around Seltún, picture perfect views atop the Valahnúkur hills and even the world renowned Blue Lagoon! Check out the must-see spots around the Blue Diamond route below!
Arrive – Keflavík International Airport: Just like every other vacation, it all begins at the airport. This airport see nearly 96% of international traffic and serves as Iceland’s main gateway.
Stop #1 – Bridges Between Continents: Built as a symbol for the connection between Europe and North American before the continental drift, visitors can wander across the natural gap over the small footbridge that lies across a fissure created by great forces beneath the Earth’s crust that pull Eurasian and North American tectonic plates apart.
Stop #2 – Power Plants: Iceland is known for its eco-friendly practices and lush resources. The Reykjanes Power Plant not only generates electricity for the national grid, but also educates those visiting their exhibit on how humans use and benefit from renewable energy sources.
Stop #3 – Gunnuhver: The Gunnuhver mud geysers are the largest in all of Iceland and are named after a ghost! Tourist have the chance to get as close as possible with a ramp that will give them a view into the pool. Here they can experience the noise, heat and power of the Gunnuhver mud pool.
Stop #4 – Stampar: Thousands of years ago, a series of craters were created on the peninsula. Although these craters formed centuries between each other, they have become connected by the Hundred Crater Trail that takes adventurers through the natural architecture of a crater.
Stop #5 – Reykjanes Lighthouse: The Reykjanes Lighthouse is one of native Icelanders’ most beloved lighthouses. The detailed carved rocks and concrete make up the century old lighthouse. But the recent modern day improvements help navigate the many ships with a more accurate GPS system.
Stop #6 – Valahnúkur: For those looking for a hike and a glorious view across the peninsula, the naturally made mountations of Valahnúkur are a perfect option. The 1.5 mile hike will take you through the mountain that is made up of tuff, pillow lava and breccia, accumulating to the scenic view that greets hikers at the summit. Click here for more information!
Stop #7 – Karlinn: Karlinn is a 164-ft crater that is more commonly known as “The Man.” Karlinn was created from a massive underwater eruption, after the ash piled up and formed two sea pillars. The two sea pillars were identified as a married couple, Karlinn and his wife Kerlingin. Over time, Kerlingin washed away and left Karlinn to be the one and only view.
Stop #8 – Eldey: Located about nine miles off the coast of the peninsula is Eldey, “Fire Island,” which rises over 250 ft above the sea and offers beautiful views of the coast.
Stop #9 – Brimketill: Brimketill is a naturally made pool caused by considerable marine erosion. Icelandic folklore compares a calderon used to wash clothes to the way the pools looks when waves crash against Brimketill. Because of this, travelers are advised to pay close attention to their own safety.
Stop #10 – Seltún: Made up of vibrant greens, yellows and reds hills, Seltún is the perfect place to capture the true beauty of the Blue Diamond route. The Seltún boardwalk takes you through the sounds, smells and heat of this area. For those looking for a deeper adventure, hikers can take on the hills and venture to the top for more spectacular views.
Stop #11 – Kleifarvatn: The 97 meter deep lake is one of the deepest in Iceland, but since 2000, the lake’s water level has decreased due to an earthquake that caused a “leak” at the bottom of the lake.
Stop #12 – Blue Lagoon: After all the site seeing, hiking and trekking, Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to relax. The beautiful, blue water is made up of geothermal seawater and silica mud that is said to have healing properties. After experiencing everything Iceland has to offer, Blue Lagoon is the best place to close out your day of travels.
Wondering how you can get from site to site if you don’t have a car? Bus4U Iceland has created a Blue Diamond tour route that takes visitors to a handful of key spots along the path.
Check out an interactive map of the route here! Which stop along the Blue Diamond route would you spend most exploring? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.
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